SALE-Maffra cricket’s top two teams put on a pre-Christmas cracker, with Maffra edging first-placed Stratford.
The teams scored a combined 493 runs at Morison St, with four players passing 50, including 99 from Maffra captain Brett Lanigan.
Sent in to bat, Stratford was a winning a position after scoring 5-240 from its 40 overs.
Chris Aurish and Travis Millar, 29, put on 52 for the first wicket before Aurisch and Jack Tatterson combined for a 68-run second wicket stand.
Nathan Maguson bowled Aurisch for 53 before Tatterson had his wickets disturbed by a Harry Thackray delivery on 31.
The Redbacks appeared to take control of the match when Ben Shepperson. 59, and Taylor Tatterson, 39, combined for a 91-run fourth wicket stand. Jacob Weatherley ended that partnership and took another with the final ball of the innings to be the Eagles’ only multiple wicket-taker.
Maffra’s response was just as exciting, with openers Lanigan and Sam Evison putting on 170 runs.
After Jack Tatterson was caught Evison off the bowling of Simon Williams for 73, Josh Rurawhe joined Lanigan for a solid 49-run stand before the captain was dismissed one short of a century when Jack Reitschel took a catch off his own bowling.
When Reitschel bowled Rurawhe for 34, the Eagles only needed three runs to win. Jon Cheer and Josh Davis when saw the home side to victory, finishing on 3-243.
Captain’s knock for Bundy
MATT Dowsett provided the individual highlight of round nine, scoring 111 to led Bundalaguah to a comfortable win over Boisdale-Briagolong.
Such was Dowsett’s dominance of the home side’s bowling, when opening partner Jason Langshaw was dismissed for three runs, the team score was already 72.
Daniel Bedggood also put in a good display, scoring 54, as Bundalaguah scored an imposing 8-254. Andrew Nicholas took 3-48 for the Saints.
The home side was bowled out for 161 with Daniel Cameron, 69, providing the most resistance.
Shaun Humphries cleaned up the tail, taking the final three wickets, while Jason Maidorn and Adam Cairns claimed two wickets each.
The win elevated Bundalaguah into third place on the table.
Warriors win tight game
ROSEDALE-Kilmany won a tight contest against Collegians.
After being sent in to bat, the Warriors scored 8-177 with captain Brad Scott making 96. Scott and Isaac Love, 26, put on 87 runs for the sixth wicket.
Collegians skipper Mark Nicholls took 4-23.
The home side was steady in response, but lost wickets at regular intervals, bowling out in the final over for 168. Michael Cafferkey scored 48, Nicholls 34 and Jayden Allison 29.
Jim Holt, 4-26, and Scott, 3-15, were the destroyers for the Warriors, who will enjoy breathing space in the top four heading into the Christmas break.
Sale claims local derby
SALE won a low-scoring local derby against Sale City to relegate the Lizards to bottom place.
The visitor was dismissed for 119 in the 39th over with Jarrod Moxey scoring 33 and captain Ian Wrigglesworth 32 not out.
Lizards captain Jaryd Floyd claimed the economical figures of 3-7 off eight overs.
Only two Lizards batsmen were able to reach double figures as they were bowled out for 80 in the 36th over. Matt Raidal claimed 3-19 for Sale.
SALE-MAFFRA cricket will resume on Saturday, January 18.
